Breckland

Breckland's population grew in the decade to 2011. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure and health.

The population passed 130,000

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of Breckland increased by 7.5%, from about 121,000 to 130,000.

The addition of just under 9,100 people means this area's population increased at a similar rate to the overall population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Breckland was home to, on average, 0.71 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres). This made it Eastof England's least densely-populated district.

Population density was lower than the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Rise in considerably limiting disability

Census 2011 data also show a change in the proportion of disabled people here.

The percentage of Breckland residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 3.1% in 2001 to 4.1% in 2011.

The proportion who reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities remained close to 6.6%, while the percentage of Breckland residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 90% to 89%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 2.7% in 2001 to 3.4% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability in Breckland increased by 1.1 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Breckland, Eastof England and England that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Breckland that rented privately increased from 9.3% to 15% in the decade to 2011.

The proportion that lived in social housing remained close to 14%, while the percentage of Breckland households that owner their home decreased from 73% to 69%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 8.6% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Breckland increased by 5.9 percentage points

Percentage of households in Breckland, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Breckland residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 8.6% to 5.5% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just under 8 in 10 (80%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 67% in 2001. The percentage of Breckland residents that described their health as fair decreased from 24% to 15%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 7.6% in 2001 to 4.7% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Breckland decreased by 3.1 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Breckland, Eastof England and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Changing household dynamics

In Breckland, the proportion came down from 27% in 2001 to 26% in 2011, while across England it went up from 26% to 27%. During the same period, the regional proportion remained close to 28%.

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple in Breckland increased from 8.9% to 11%, while the percentage of households with a married couple decreased from 41% to 37%.

The percentage of households with only a single-person was lower than across Eastof England

Percentage of households that that comprised only a single person across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Ethnicity in Breckland

The number of people in Breckland from the White ethnic groups increased from just under 120,000 in 2001 to just under 130,000 in 2011. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 99% to 97%.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across Eastof England (from 95% to 90%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Breckland from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from about 820 in 2001 to about 1,600 in 2011 (from 0.7% to 1.2%). The number of residents from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from about 390 to about 1,000 (from 0.3% to 0.8%).

About 600 people (0.4%) said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, up from about 420 in 2001 (0.5%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Breckland decreased by 1.1 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Breckland by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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